Lobbying ◊ Policy ◊ Strategy
CAPITOL ADVOCATES
FIRM
The Art of the Possible
A full service government relations firm
Capitol Advocates is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex policy, political, legislative and regulatory challenges in Washington and the states. We develop and implement strategies to help our clients win.
As seasoned practitioners in the art of the possible, we would love to help you solve your problem today.
CONTACT
Hall of the States
444 North Capitol Street NW
Suite 840
Washington, DC 20001
202.624.1450
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ABOUT US
Seasoned practitioners in the art of the possible.
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Capitol Advocates is a Washington, DC based government relations, public policy and strategic consulting firm. Located steps from the U.S. Capitol, the firm is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex policy, political, legislative and regulatory challenges.
Capitol Advocates offer clients a wealth of experience on public policy issues, appropriations, federal government marketing and public affairs.
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Over the tenured careers of Capitol Advocates’ principals, the group has demonstrated measurable success in the following practice areas:
Health Care
Technology
Homeland Security
Energy/Environment
Financial Services
Appropriations
Transportation
Employee Relations/Human Resources
Tax
Our seasoned government and public affairs professionals work with clients to help them achieve bottom line objectives. We have worked on behalf of corporate clients, trade and professional associations, non-government organizations, and the public sector. Our offices, available to all our clients, are located in the Hall of the States building one block from the U.S. Capitol.
We would welcome the opportunity to have a discussion with you about applying the "art of the possible" to solving your problem.
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MEET THE TEAM
Jay Keese
Founding Principal
With over three decades of experience as a public policy professional, Jay’s career has focused largely on healthcare issues and advocacy campaigns. He works closely with providers, patient groups, employers, insurers, health IT firms and states on critical healthcare delivery and payment reforms.
Jay manages several major healthcare coalitions focused largely on innovations in payment and delivery reforms. He worked extensively on delivery system reforms in the Affordable Care Act, including a provision allowing primary care medical homes to participate in healthcare exchanges with qualified health plans. In the effort to create the Medicare Part D drug program, he worked with pharmaceutical and health plan clients to help shape Title II provisions on Medicare Advantage and on Part D coverage for injectable biologics. Jay also works with pharmacy benefit management companies, insurers and workers comp compliance experts on reforms to the Medicare Secondary Payer program.
Prior to founding Capitol Advocates, Jay was a Vice President at Columbus Public Affairs, where he managed the firm’s healthcare lobbying practice. Previously, he held government relations positions at both the American Medical Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Jay began his career as an aide to the late Senator John Heinz (R-PA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee.
Jay has worked on numerous House and Senate campaigns with the National Republican Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees. Jay lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Sara, and their three children; Katie, Caroline and William.
Will Hollier
Advisor
Will Hollier is the President of Hollier & Associates, part of the North Capitol Street Enterprises partnership. In this capacity Hollier provides legislative and regulatory counseling, traditional lobbying advocacy and political consulting services regarding federal matters before the Congress, Executive Branch, and federal and regional agencies.
With over 21 years experience working with the United States Congress, ten in the House of Representatives, four in the United States Senate and seven representing clients’ interests before Members of Congress, Hollier has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer his clients. He brings an expertise in both House and Senate procedure and a wide range of policy issues gained from his work as senior legislative staff in both chambers of the Congress and management of several congressional campaigns. Hollier helps his clients understand and navigate the legislative and regulatory process in Washington, D.C. as efficiently and as effectively as possible.
Prior to Hollier & Associates, Hollier served on the staff of Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho for 11 years as Washington, DC Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. His experience as a senior political and legislative strategist for the Senator gave him the opportunity to work with many of the top decisions makers in Washington. Additionally, Hollier served as the primary liaison to the Senator’s Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Hollier served as Campaign Manager for Senator Crapo’s 1998 United States Senate Campaign and Campaign Manager for Congressman Crapo’s 1996 congressional reelection campaign. He also served on the staff of Congressman Stan Parris of Virginia and Congressman Ron Packard of California.
A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Hollier received his Master’s Degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Hollier lives in Virginia with his wife and three children.
Niels Holch
Cousnel
Niels C. Holch is a founding partner of Holch & Erickson, LLP, part of the North Capitol Street Enterprises partnership.He has more than twenty-five years experience in both private practice and government service in Washington. In his private practice, he has represented clients on a wide range of issues before the United States Congress and various Federal administrative agencies. These issues include financial market regulation, Native American law and policy, election and lobbying regulation, and energy and environmental law and policy.
Prior to founding Holch & Erickson LLP and a predecessor law firm, McGuiness & Holch, Mr. Holch served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), currently the Senate Majority Leader.
Previously, Mr. Holch was Senior Vice President at Hill & Knowlton Public Affairs; Vice President and Counsel at Gray and Company Public Affairs; Legislative Representative for the American Iron and Steel Institute; and Professional Staff Member for the Re-Election Campaign of Representative Stewart McKinney (R-CT).
Active in various nonprofit activities, Mr. Holch serves as the Executive Director of the Shareholder Communications Coalition (Washington, D.C.); Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Retirement Investing Institute (Lakewood, Colorado); Executive Director of the Coalition of Mutual Fund Investors (Washington, D.C.); and Member and former President (2007-2010) of the Board of Trustees for The Key School (Annapolis, Maryland).
Mr. Holch has received five patents for co-inventing the first cashless slot machine to be developed in the United States. He also has received three patents for inventing a series of electronic casino games utilizing a pari-mutuel wagering format.
Mr. Holch graduated magna cum laude from Ohio Wesleyan University, receiving a B.A. in Economics and Psychology. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Mr. Holch is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia. He and his family live in Annapolis, Maryland.